Darkness has become their world. It is an experience they don't want anyone to have. Yet, they learn from it. It inspires them. Details are not merely daily habits or fleeting actions in that world. They are like big achievements— indeed they are big achievement. About blindness, its world, and its community in Iraq. 

On one of Iraq’s long winter nights, the family was amid sleep, laziness and darkness after a power cut at home. The negotiations started: Who would get out of their cosy bed, walk to the circuit box, and switch to the electric generator? Someone did. The blind father. He stepped into the darkness to bring light into the house. 

Whoever thinks this scene is simple should try walking blind in this world. They should try living an entire life in Iraq without sight. Let them try stepping out into the streets or dealing with government offices. It is a world of darkness, yet Othman Al-Kinani carries the torch of a different kind of sight. 

Youth is at its peak at thirty-six years old, and dreams often outgrow one’s age. But at that age, Al-Kinani lost his sight. A once bright world suddenly went dark. Now, he had to face his new reality. Would he give up? No, he did not. 

What happened was the birth of a theatre troupe and a football team for the blind—two events which opened the world to the blind community in Iraq. 

Al-Siraj Theatre Troupe 

When Al-Siraj theatre troupe was founded, it faced an even greater challenge. This was not because of the troupe was blind but because of people’s mockery and belittling comments: “What are these people going to do? Even those who can see are struggling, let alone such blind folk.” 

Despite this, on multiple stages, Al-Siraj performed plays such as Over Rehearsal and O Planter of Beautyberry… Who Are They? The troupe is considered the first theatre troupe for blind people in Iraq. Its purpose is to involve blind people in society by delivering various powerful messages through its performances. The actors—men and women of different ages—are all blind. 

People with disabilities in general, and blind people in particular, face significant challenges due to the lack of resources that facilitate mobility and enable them to lead what might be considered a normal life. However, Al-Siraj has had an impact on the stage.   

The troupe began with seven blind members and has grown to include 15 actors and technical staff. Renowned Iraqi theatre directors have also contributed to the production of their plays.   

In Iraq, where 2.5% of the population (around one million people) are blind, there are no dedicated walking paths or sports facilities. Nor are there elevators or spaces designed for their needs or entertainment. 

Al-Siraj troupe emerged from the Al-Siraj Association for the Blind, established in 2016. The association undertakes various activities, notably theatre, sports, technology, and development. 

Othman Al-Kinani, the association’s founder, said that theatre was one of its most important divisions. It represented a bright spot for them. The reason they chose this challenging field, alongside sports, was that theatre carried a profound and straightforward message. Through it, the challenges faced by blind people could be conveyed in a world so heavily reliant on visual displays. 

Al-Kinani is a product of this experience and its challenges. He lost his vision as a result of improper medication use while treating seasonal eye allergies. That led to him developing glaucoma, a condition that damages the optic nerve tissues.   

His vision began to deteriorate when he was 36, and he gradually lost his sight. 

Karrar Al-Ghalbi, the founder of the theatre troupe, spoke to Jummar about the terrorist attack he was subjected to in 2014, which led to the loss of his sight. A car bomb exploded near him while he was on Al-Jumhuriya Street in the centre of Babil. This occurred the day before his final nursing exam. However, the incident did not stop him from continuing his studies and earning his degree. 

Al-Ghalbi now works as a lecturer at the High Health Institute in Karbala. He completed his master’s degree in Community Health while overseas. He recalls how he entered the world of theatre. He said it was by chance during his studies at the University of Babil. He couldn’t find accommodation in the university dorms, as those for medical students were full, so he moved into the dorms for Fine Arts students. There, he mingled with theatre students, developed an interest in theatre, and was invited by one of his peers to perform in two plays, first in 2012 and then again in 2014. 

His story with theatrical acting began after the terrorist attack. In the city of Karbala, he met a group of blind people and, together, they decided to establish the Al-Siraj Foundation for the Blind. 

Theatre 

At the beginning of the Association’s establishment, Al-Ghalbi sought to form Al-Siraj troupe. The theatrical works presented in its early days embraced the concept of Dark Theatre. The troupe’s first production was Al-Jawahiri Café, followed by The Scream.  Both performances involved blindfolding the audience with tape or black fabric, allowing them to experience the theatrical performance solely through sound. This type of theatre was implemented for the first time in Iraq. 

The troupe began with simple performances, a hobby rather than a profession. This phase lasted for two years, and, in 2018, the troupe transitioned to professional productions. Their first professional work was We Are Here, featuring 11 blind actors. Al-Ghalbi explained that it was a theatrical performance in which blind people declared to the world, “We are here.” 

This production gained wide acclaim in Karbala and was featured in Babil Festival, the National Theatre in Baghdad, and other festivals across several provinces. “After that, we presented another professional theatrical work, Over Rehearsal” Al-Ghalbi noted. Following this performance, the troupe received official recognition from the Iraqi Artists Syndicate. 

The troupe members were granted syndicate identification cards and continued to participate in numerous festivals, including “Karbala International Days,” the “Experimental Theatre Festival,” the “National Theatre Festival,” and many others. 

Later, Al-Siraj troupe collaborated with the Contemporary Theatre Division at Imam Hussain Holy Shrine and presented a joint production titled Compass. 

The troupe’s most recent production was Oh, Planter of Beautyberry… Who Are These? Al-Ghalbi said it was a significant work. “We participated in many festivals with this production and performed it on different stages, including the Baghdad International Festival, which featured participation from several Arab and foreign countries.” 

He stated that the troupe is currently focusing on theorising for blind theatre and has numerous future participations planned through which they aspire to reach global recognition. 

Football 

From the outset, Al-Kanani sought to establish a football team for blind people within the sports division of Al-Siraj Association. The Association later founded the Amal Karbala Club to provide resources for the blind community. This led to the creation of a national team and a Blind Football Federation. 

The national team participated in international competitions, and some team members even had the opportunity to join the Iraqi Paralympic Committee. 

The national team officially launched at the start of this year, following the establishment of the Iraqi Blind Football Federation at the end of 2023. The team currently consists of 20 players. 

In its first international participation at the Morocco Challenge Tournament in late June 2024, the team secured second place, defeating the Polish team 2–0. 

How do blind people play football? This wasn’t just a question for Al-Kanani; it was an obsession. “How can I enable blind people to play and practice football? It was a passion driven by love, enthusiasm, and yearning to play football,” he explained. The challenges were numerous, including transportation, funding, and the availability of essential equipment. 

Initially, the team only had what is known as a “bell ball,” a regular ball with a bell inside that allows blind players to follow its sound during play. Through persistent efforts and attempts, Al-Kanani introduced blind football to Iraq by connecting with international organisations specialising in this field. 

“During the first experience, I got goosebumps when I held the special ball for blind people. It was a significant and historic moment for me and for us!” Al-Kanani said. “The dream of a football team for blind people became a reality, and finally, blind players in Iraq can play football.” 

Another moment, filled with awe and emotion for Al-Kanani, occurred during a match between Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya Club and Karbala Club. It was decided that Al-Kanani, the oldest player on the blind football team, would kick the ball from the centre of the field first, alongside the youngest player, Zain Al-Abideen. 

Al-Kanani recalled, “We walked to the centre of the field with players from both clubs. It was a wonderful scene, with 30,000 fans in the stands and live television coverage. At that moment, it felt as if we had won the World Cup just by being there.” 

How does a blind player play football, and what do they rely on? Al-Kanani explained that blind players rely heavily on their sense of hearing, along with an exceptional sense of spatial awareness and intuition. Tracking the bell inside the ball requires intense focus and significant use of their auditory sense. These abilities combine with movement and high sensitivity to enable blind players to engage with and play football with ease. 

Interacting with the Ball 

Al-Kanani shares his feelings and describes football as “the beloved of the masses”. For blind people, particularly youth, football evokes significant engagement. It remains a major passion and a dream for many to watch and play the game.   

The category of vision loss can impact a player’s performance. Al-Kanani notes that there are different categories of blindness: some are blind from birth, while others lose sight later in life. This affects how they interact with the ball. In the case of acquired blindness, like Al-Kanani’s, he had the opportunity to play football during his years of vision.   

Through experimentation, Al-Kanani discovered that he could follow matches via audio commentary. Technology has since advanced, particularly with artificial intelligence, such as during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where a dedicated studio for blind fans allowed them to immerse themselves in the game entirely. Al-Kanani remarks, “It made us experience the game entirely.” 

Blind people rely on their other senses to compensate for their lack of sight, particularly sound perception and mental visualisation, to follow football through audio commentary. 

Al-Kinani discovered, through trial and error, that he could follow events through the description provided by audio commentary. With the development of technology, particularly AI, there were advances such as the special studio for the blind during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Al-Kinani says, “It allowed us to engage with the game fully.” 

The blind aim to use their other senses to compensate for the loss of sight, especially the sense of hearing, and to engage in mental visualisation to follow football through audio commentary.